Public Affairs
Oregon State Bar Public Affairs Staff
Hot Topics
Legislative Sessions
2015 Legislative Session
The Public Affairs Committee is proud to support the 2015 Legislative Proposals. Thank you to the OSB Sections and Committees for submitting their 2015 Law Improvement Proposals to the OSB Public Affairs Committee. We welcome you to review the proposals at the link above.
The Public Affairs Department is available to assist all OSB Sections and Committees with bill tracking. As part of that process, Public Affairs staff reviews all bills introduced during a legislative session, and will refer bills to groups that we feel might be interested. Contact your Section or Committee chair or legislative contact in regards to what bills your section has asked to be tracked.
OSB Sections and Committees have the opportunity to provide input on a legislative issue as well as take a position on proposed legislation. If your Section or Committee decides to take a position, please complete the form provided at the link above and submit it to the Public Affairs Committee through Susan Grabe, OSB Public Affairs Director. Proposals must receive approval from the Public Affairs Committee on behalf of the board before taking any action. If any questions arise, please contact the Public Affairs Department.
OSB Board of Governors Public Affairs Committee
The Public Affairs Committee of the Board of Governors oversees the work of the program, and makes recommendation to the Board of Governors on public policy issues.
The Board or its Public Affairs Committee sets priorities regarding legislation or positions on legislation. In so doing, the Board will make a reasonable effort to do the following:
- Encourage as wide a participation of the membership as possible;
- Formulating positions on legislative issues;
- Inform members of the Bars legislative positions;
- Respect divergent opinions of subgroups within the legal profession;
- Provide assistance to bar sections and committees;
- Avoid committing bar funds to issues that are divisive or create factions within the profession;
- Present major issues to the House of Delegates for approval.
2015 Public Affairs Committee Members
Travis Prestwich, Chair, Salem
John Mansfield, Vice-Chair, Portland
Timothy Williams, Bend
Charles Wilhoite, Portland
Elisabeth Zinser, Ashland
Guy Greco, Newport
Kathleen Rastetter, Oregon City
OSB Public Affairs
Mission Statement
The Public Affairs Program works to apply the knowledge and experience of the legal profession to the public good by advising governmental bodies, proposing legislation for law improvement, and advocating on matters that affect the legal profession.
The Public Affairs Department provides legal expertise and assistance to lawmakers; informs bar leaders, members and government bodies on bar related legislation and public policy issues; assists bar groups with law improvement projects; and influences major issues affecting the legal profession and justice system.
The OSB Legislative Guideline Overview
The board has determined that the use of bar dues to participate in shaping legislation that involves the regulation of the legal profession and matters concerning the quality of legal services available to the people of Oregon is germane to the bar's role and is in the public interest.
Oregon State Bar legislative or policy activities shall be limited to those reasonably related to any of the following subjects:
- The regulation and discipline of lawyers;
- The improvement of the functioning of the courts including issues of judicial independence, fairness, efficacy and efficiency;
- The availability of legal services to society;
- The regulation of lawyer trust accounts;
- The education, ethics, competence, integrity and regulation of the legal profession; or
- The provision of law improvement assistance to elected and appointed government officials;
- Issues involving the structure and organization of federal, state and local courts in or affecting Oregon;
- Issues involving the rules of practice, procedure and evidence in federal, state or local courts in or affecting Oregon; and
- Issues involving the duties and functions of judges and lawyers in federal, state, and local courts in or affecting Oregon.
Public Affairs Policies
What is the Keller Rule?
Keller does not prohibit integrated bars from using member dues to advance political or ideological positions that are not germane to the bars purpose; however, it requires that dissenting members receive a refund of the portion of dues attributable to the non-germane activity.